Shifting Your Productivity Mindset

Have you ever lain awake trying to get to sleep, but you can’t turn your work brain off? Or you have a whole Saturday to get things done, but it’s as if your motivation walked out the door along with your attention span?

In order to accomplish something, you have to have the correct “brain” turned on. Whether it’s an at-home project or relaxing enough to avoid looking at your phone, you have to shift your mindset to accomplish these tasks. Phil Cooke, author of “One Big Thing: Discovering What You Were Born to Do,” shares with us some tips around driving productivity through shifting your mindset.

• At Work: Some days you know exactly what you need to work on, and other days you spin your wheels. Is that because your leadership is unclear, or because the team dynamic has confused priorities? “Teams are great for brainstorming, research, and execution, but at some point, a leader has to make a decision,” says Phil. You can demand actionable direction, and find out who really makes the final decisions. “In military terms, a team can decide how to take the hill, but a leader has to decide which hill to take.”
• At Home: It’s really easy to bring your work brain home with you. Getting dinner on the table is suddenly the same as pestering your team to deliver their weekly reports. Your kid setting the table is different from an employee sending you a time sheet. “Once you cross the door and walk into your house, it’s time to switch to what author Jim Collins calls ‘legislative leadership,’” says Phil. “Legislative leadership is still leader driven, but it’s softer, more open to opposing ideas, and works because of consensus, not command. From a productivity standpoint, home and family aren’t about to-do lists, they’re about relationships.”
• Personal Time: Some people like to be really productive with their personal time, volunteering in the community, writing books, knitting clothes, or taking classes. Others want personal time to be for relaxing. And some feel they have no personal time, constantly shuttling kids to activities or coaching the little league team. Either way, there’s another shift in mindset here required to accomplish any goal. You have to be purposeful in what you want to accomplish, and that also means getting the tools you need. “If you’re on the go, this is where mobile technology can make a significant difference, because adaptability doesn’t mean inability,” says Phil. Your phone can keep you connected or allow you to multitask. Or no phone at all can help you relax.

You can be productive, but to accomplish everything from work tasks to relaxing, you have to change your mindset. Doing so requires flexibility, something you demonstrate every day. This is incredibly important in today’s shifting world. “The folks at Change Anything tell us that 83% of employees have been passed over for a promotion because management felt they couldn’t make the necessary changes to move to the next level in their career,” said Phil. Change is good for you, so take these tips to start shifting your mindset.

Article by Emily Jasper for Forbes.com

Me and Google no. 5

The following article was done just after the Hong Kong Sevens in March/April 2003. The Namibian Rugby Sevens Team took part in the Hong Kong Sevens when the SARS virus was classified as a serious concern across the globe. On our return we were to be quarantined for a two week period. We had been very careful while in Hong Kong and carried our mask all the time in public, except for when we were at the games off course. We were not quarantined, and none of the team members were affected by SARS. The article focuses on the hype on SARS at that point in time.

The article can be translated from Afrikaans to English for readers whom do not follow English.

SARS fyn gemonitor

DIE nasionale sewerugbyspan wat gister van 'n internasionale toernooi uit Hong Kong na Namibië teruggekeer het, is almal vir die simptome van Akute Asemhalingsindroom (SARS), die dodelike vorm van longontsteking wat veral Asië die afgelope weke teister, getoets.
Daar is geen rede tot paniek nie, het dr. Libertine Amathila, die Minister van Gesondheid en Welsyn, gister in die Nasionale Vergadering gesê.
"My Ministerie beheer en monitor die situasie uiters versigtig. Ons is in noue kontak met die Wêreld Gesondheidsorganisasie (WHO) en ontvang daagliks nuus oor die situasie wêreldwyd,"het sy gesê.
Intussen het mnr. Hylton Ferreira, 'n bestuurslid van die Namibiese sewerugbyspan, gister uit Johannesburg aan Republikein bevestig dat die span getoets is en dat almal gesond is.
Mnr. Ferreira het gesê die span het soveel as moontlik tydens hul besoek maskers as voorkoming gedra. As veiligheidsmaatreël het dié span ook hul deelname aan 'n IRR-sewetoernooi in Beijing gekansaleer.

Full article : http://www.republikein.com.na/

Me and Google no. 4

This article was posted in a Namibian Daily Newspaper in 2003, during the Rugby World Cup in Australia. I was the Spokesperson for the Namibian Rugby Team. The interview was a prelude to the Namibia vs Argentina game. One of the main attractions to the sporting world was if, Rudi van Vuuren was going to play a game. It would be the first time in history that a person would take part in the cricket and rugby world cup. The article can be translated from Afrikaans to English for any interested readers whom do not follow Afrikaans:

Rudie is uit Argentinië-stryd - Nambië glo hy kan vandag eerste skok van Wêreldbeker 2003 lewer

"Ons verwag dat dit baie winderig en koud sal wees en dat dit moontlik ook kan reën," het mnr. Ferreira gesê. "As ons die loot wen, kan ons verkies om die tweede helfte saam met die wind te speel om met skoppe in hulle helfte te bly. Ons kan hulle ook met taktiese skoppe laat omdraai."
"Die gevoel in die kamp is dat ons Argentinië kan klop. Dave (Waterston) is van die opinie dat Argentinië niks van ons af weet nie, iets wat in ons guns tel en dat ons 'n kans het om 'n skok te lewer. Hulle sal nie verwag dat ons hulle voorlangs sal aanvat omdat hulle tradisioneel sterk voorspelers het. Ons glo dat ons voorspelers hulle in toom kan hou wat die agterlyn kans kan gee om te hardloop.
"Die senuwees is besig om te pla. Almal is besig om te fokus. Daar is beslis 'n geloof dat ons Argentinië kan klop," het mnr. Ferreira gesê.
"Ons gaan die kapteinsoefening hier in Salamander Bay hou, op die Tomaree-veld waar ons die afgelope tyd oefen. Die skoppers sal wel vandag (gister) kans kry om daar te gaan skop."
Die wedstryd word hanteer deur die Walliese skeidsregter Nigel Williams. Die grensregters is Paul Honiss van Nieu-Seeland en Joël Dume van Frankryk.

Full article: http://www.republikein.com.na/sport

Me and Google no. 4

I did this interview with ABC News in Australia at the 2003 Rugby World Cup regarding Rudi van Vuuren, who was going to become the first person to play in a rugby and cricket world cup. Rudi currently a medical doctor and a dedicated nature conservationist in Namibia.

Rudi's chance for World Cups double

Cricketer-cum-rugby player Rudi van Vuuren would be forgiven for wishing his team-mates the very worst of luck as Namibia made six changes for their final World Cup match against Romania on Thursday.

The 31-year-old fly-half, included on the bench, will become the first man to play in the cricket and rugby World Cups if an injury or substitution allows him to take the field against the Romanians in Launceston.
Van Vuuren, seeking a 14th cap and still not fully match fit, was selected for Namibia's opening game of the tournament against Argentina only to be forced to withdraw with a left calf injury.
A medium-pacer, he played in the cricket World Cup earlier in the year.
Namibia were crushed by a record Cup margin of 142-0 by Australia in Pool A last week
Coincidentally, they also lost to Australia in the cricket tournament by a record runs margin.
Scrum-half Hakkies Husselman, captain against Australia, and left wing Jurie Booysen have been replaced by winger Vince Dreyer and 23-year-old scrum-half Neil Swanepoel.
Number eight Sean Furter returns as captain in one of four changes to the pack.
"The main aim was to keep the best squad for the last match. It's make or break for us," Namibia team spokesman Hylton Ferreira said.
Namibia and Romania have yet to win a game in the tournament.

Article available at: http://abcaustralia.net/news

Me and Google no. 3

This interview was done in September of 2001 with the Namibian Economist:


Premier must distribute electricity

This is the first year that Premier Electric will join the Windhoek Show as an exhibitor. The company was established on 23 August 1999 by a cabinet resolution but has only become operational recently said its manager of commercial services, Mr Hylton Ferreira.
He explained that the company is a 100% subsidiary of NamPower founded with the objective of establishing distribution networks in Namibian towns, villages and communities. It is also charged with establishing and promoting the use of solar energy, especially in areas where grid electrification is not feasible due to excessively high costs. The company also supplies technical expertise for services and maintenance as well as operations of local electricity distributors, according to Mr Ferreira. He said that one of the most important functions of the company is to negotiate agreements with local authorities to operate and maintain distribution network systems within the jurisdictions of those authorities.

 When asked what the company’s relationship to Northern Electricity is, Mr Ferreira said that Premier is not against any Regional Electricity Distributor (RED). He pointed out that the company was established to assist government with the creation of REDs, adding that the direction given by government is aimed at creating a better business environment, ‘Therefore we will adapt our business to support these government objectives,” he added.
In Otavi, the smart partnership between Premier Electric and Otavi Electrical Company has already produced upgrades on existing networks, new connections and an improved billing system, said Ferreira.
Ferreira added that the company offers local authorities several smart partnership options like joint ventures as well as operation and management agreements. He pointed out that all options can be tailor-made and customised in terms of the customer’s needs and wants.
In explaining why Premier Electric is the way to go in terms of smart partnership, Ferreira said that it is a fully owned Namibian company. He said that government established the company and that its core business is electricity distribution. According to Ferreira, Premier Electric understands the Namibian situation, has countrywide representation and is a socially responsible corporate citizen.

Read full article at: http://www.economist.com.na

Me and Google no. 2

This is article reflects on an interview I had, in August 2001, with the Namibian Economist newspaper on partnership to in the Energy environment:

Premier Electric for smart partnerships

Premier Electric was established on 23 August 1999 by a cabinet resolution said its manager of commercial services, Mr Hylton Ferreira.
He explained that the company is a 100% subsidiary of NamPower founded with the objective of establishing distribution networks in Namibian towns, villages and communities. It is also charged with establishing and promoting the use of solar energy, especially in areas were grid electrification is not feasible due to excessively high costs. The company also supplies technical expertise for services and maintenance as well as operations of local electricity distributors, according to Mr Ferreira. He said that one of the most important functions of the company is to negotiate agreements with local authorities to operate and maintain distribution network systems within the jurisdictions of those authorities.


 Smart partnerships with all the local authorities have been called for by the government in order to establish self-sufficient and self sustaining electricity distributors all over Namibia, said Ferreira.
He pointed out that Premier Electric has already started fulfilling this mandate, highlighting examples like Oshakati Premier Electric and Otavi Electrical Company. In Oshakati this has lead to the provision of streetlights along a 5,5km stretch of the main road as well as the establishment of streetlights at three of the town’s major intersections. He also drew particular attention to the Oshakati Electrification Master Plan, which was launched on 16 August and is aimed at optimisation of the current network. When asked what the company’s relationship to Northern Electricity is, Mr Ferreira said that Premier is not against any Regional Electricity Distributor (RED). He pointed out that the company was established to assist government with the creation of REDs, adding that the direction given by government is aimed at creating a better business environment, ‘Therefore we will adapt our business to support these government objectives,” he added.

Read article: http://www.economist.com.na

Me and Google no. 1

I got this crazy to Google myself and see what information  about me is on the internet. Apart from the facebook, twitter and linkedin posts and responses, I found some pretty interesting articles. Some of these occurred many years ago, and I had forgotten about them. Reading them brought back some fond memories.


The following article is the first which I will be posting under "Me and Google" :

Electrification of Maize Triangle – Way ahead of schedule

The third and final phase of the electrification of the Maize Triangle is expected to be completed in May this year – a year ahead of the scheduled time.
The construction of phase two and three is running concurrently and hence the reason why phase three will be completed earlier than planned. Both phases are being constructed to the tune of N$39 million. The total line length for phase two and three is approximately 1100 km.
NamPower started the three-phase project in 2002, with the aim to electrify farmlands in the Tsumeb, Grootfontein and Otavi area and to encourage economic activity in that area, especially in the field of horticulture.
One determining factor was that the agricultural belt supply 20-thousand tonnes of raw cotton required by the textile factory, Ramatex, established in 2002 on the outskirts of Windhoek near Otjomuise. The growing of cotton is a labour intensive industry dependent on reliable and affordable supply of electricity to meet the annual quota of cotton. The Maize Triangle is also known for its ample underground sources of water and fertile soil.

Another major reason for this project is the construction of a 33 kV backbone network in areas where electricity is not available, as Hylton Ferreira the Manager of Electrification explains.
“Those farms which did not benefit from the subsidised project can benefit in future on commercial terms. What is important though is that they are now closer to the national electricity grid. Many farms are now situated 5 to 10 kilometres from electricity.”

Many, if not all farmers in the Maize Triangle were happy at the prospect of having electricity at their farms. But, as the project progressed, the happiness faded for some farmers when they realised that they will not benefit directly from the subsidised project.
“We had extremely happy and extremely unhappy farmers,” says Hylton.

“Some however, accepted that NamPower’s goal was to build strategic backbone networks to benefit their respective areas, if not them directly.”
The second phase of the electrification of the Maize Triangle covered 108 farms north of Tsumeb and Grootfontein up to Oshivelo and Morurani in the Oshikoto region. Phase three covers a vast area of at least 320 farms, of which 90 farms will benefit from the subsidised scheme. This phase covers an extremely large area made up of farms south of Grootfontein, south and west of Otavi, and north of Otjiwarongo and Waterberg.

Hylton has nothing but praise for the project. “All in all, I feel that this was money well spent in terms of developing the region and uplifting the socio-economic standard of people in these areas. Another good thing is that all farmers who benefited have to provide their employees with electricity, which in turn will also improve their living standard.”
The project covered established commercial farmers as well as upcoming commercial farmers. In total, the NamPower Board of Directors approved an amount of N$55 million dollars for the electrification of the Maize Triangle and surrounding areas.

Phase 3 farmers Ecstatic
Farmers benefiting from the third phase of the project are ecstatic that the project will be completed a year in advance. Some of them shared their excitement with Watts On:



The Maize Triangle Electrification project was one of most rewarding that I have managed.

Read comments from ecstatic customers at: http://www.nampower.com.na/pages/jan_2005_1.asp 

Taking time-out from facebook

Now I've heard this before. In the lunchrooms, on the radio, etc. I decided to take some time out from facebook to have more time for lots of things I have missed and neglected to do. Being on facebook does not really add any value to me anymore other than having this urge to see what is going on and be disappointed over and over that nothing out of the ordinary is going on. I have decided keep my facebook deactivited until I have written my PMI project management certification exam which is a priority at the moment. I miss blogging, something I have neglected entirely for the past couple of months. Blogging gives me great satisfaction even though I don't have schools of followers. The satisfaction, for me, lies in the sharing part, even though I don't have schools of followers I am happy if my blog posts gets read even without a comment. It's great to have a bit of time to catch up on some leisure reading, much more relaxing and gratifying than clicking around on facebook. So for now I am enjoying my freedom from facebook, I may even extend my freedom beyond the expected return date.

HowStuffWorks "Has Science Explained Life After Death?"

I believe that people do experience out of body experiences. Not every phenomonon need to be explained by science in order for it to be true.

HowStuffWorks "Has Science Explained Life After Death?"